Ikiré Jones presents their new editorial for their FW17 collection as a call to denounce hypocrisy and embrace hope in America.

The meticulous tailoring and bold prints are accompanied by prose that makes America hold up a mirror to take a discerning look at itself.

"Although the promises of the past may not have been made with us in mind

We fully intended to hold them to account

Regardless of what tongues we speak

Regardless of what names we choose to call in prayer

Regardless of what offense it might cause to the delicate sensibilities of the old guard

We are the America that is here to stay

We are awake and we are very much at home"

We caught up with the brand's creative director, Walé Oyéjidé, on the purpose and inspiration of the line.

"This collection continues in the vein of my work mining the refugee and immigrant experience," Oyéjidé says. "Previously, we examined the lives of migrants in Europe. Now, we are turning our lenses to people on American soil that are seen as outsiders even though they have just as much a right to be here as anyone else."

He continues:

"The collection affirms the notion that the principles that this country were founded upon have not historically been applied to all its citizens. It is also a reminder that many of the people who so firmly claim ownership to this nation are themselves descended from immigrants (to put it kindly).

The collection is a call to denounce hypocrisy and embrace hope. Because ultimately, that is the only way we are going to keep this grand experiment we call a country in one piece."

Take a look at our favorites from Ikiré Jones' Awake & At Home In America editorial, photographed by Joshua Kissi, below:

The legendary South African writer on storytelling, losing Bra Hugh Masekela and his hopes for South Africa

Zakes Mda, endearingly referred to as Bra Zakes, is a South African literary giant. He is the exemplar "jack of all trades, master of all"—a professional 'dabbler' as he refers to it. An accomplished novelist, playwright, poet and painter, he has written close to two dozen novels thus far, including the beloved Little Suns, Ways of Dying and The Heart of Redness. He is extremely hilarious as an individual and never afraid to speak his glorious mind. Case in point:

"Some random guy claims he has lost all respect for me because I hold a different view from his on a specific issue. I'm trying hard to recall what his respect has done for me lately or ever did."